Solo

Asia

/

Indonesia

/

Solo

Surakarta, or Solo, is a city in Central Java Province known for its traditional charm that will surely enchant everyone. There are plenty of things to do in Solo, like cultural tours, art shows, visiting historical sites, enjoying local cuisine, and shopping for Batik and handicrafts.

Apart from the famous Surakarta Hadiningrat Palace, Solo also has the Mangkunegaran Palace, which is a separate monarchy linked to the Mataram Dynasty. Both palaces are well-preserved and popular among tourists for their historical significance.

No trip to Solo is complete without trying their delicious local dishes, such as Nasi Liwet, Selat Solo, Tengkleng, Serabi Solo (also known as Serabi Notosuman), Cabuk Rambak, and Wedangan Cangkir Blirik. Make sure not to miss these tasty treats while exploring the city.

Get to Know Solo

Take a tour of this destination's highlights

Travel Tips for Solo

What you need to know before traveling here

Getting Around Solo

A guide to Solo's local transportation

Batik Solo Trans

Werkudara Double-Decker Bus

Sepur Kluthuk Jaladara Train

Surakarta Angkot

Feeder Solo Angkot

Car Rental

Trans Batik Solo is an effective transportation to get around Solo. This bus has six corridors and more than 300 stops. Currently, 80 Trans Batik Solo buses operate from 5 AM to 6 PM, arriving every 7 minutes. The fare for a ride on Trans Batik Solo is IDR 3,700 per person for all routes. You can only make payments with e-money.

Practical Tips for Solo

Things to prepare and best way to visit

Are there any shows in Solo that feature traditional Javanese music, dance, or theater?

Besides being a popular go-to getaway city, Solo is also known for its traditional arts and culture that still exist today. One of the traditional performances that you can still watch today is Wayang Orang Sriwedari. Wayang Orang performance is a wayang kulit (Indonesian puppet) performance replaced by human characters, a live version of wayang kulit. This wayang orang performance is one of the most popular and occurs every month, except during national holidays. You can watch Wayang Orang Sriwedari's performance from Monday to Saturday at 7:30 PM with a ticket price of only IDR 10,000.

What are Solo's unique festivals or events in Solo throughout the year?

There are several annual traditional festivals that you can only find in Solo. Looking for some traditional fun? The Solo Batik Carnival is a festival that has been running for a decade. Held every June, the Solo Batik Carnival is a batik festival that showcases the works of local designers and takes place along the roads of Solo.

The other one is Festival Jenang Solo, a culinary festival in Solo held every February 17th. At this culinary festival, you will be served various types of jenang, a traditional cuisine of Solo.

Are there any hidden gems in Solo that are not typically visited by tourists?

Solo is home to a plethora of tourist destinations, and some of them still remain hidden. One of the tourist destinations in Solo that is still rarely visited by tourists is the Geopark Batu Seribu. Next on the list is Cepogo Cheese Park, a newly opened tourist spot in 2022. This hidden-gem tourist spot in Solo offers natural scenery and exciting rides, such as horse riding, ATV rides, and archery.

Where are the local markets to shop for unique souvenirs?

Pasar Gede (Gede Market) is one of the traditional markets in the heart of Solo that offers various traditional souvenirs of Solo. Located on Jenderal Urip Sumaharjo Street, Pasar Gede offers souvenirs such as oplosan tea and other traditional Solo snacks. Next, you should visit Pasar Klewer (Klewer Market), an excellent option for those who want to shop for batik. Here, you can find various models of batik. If you want to find antique items and buy them as souvenirs to bring back home, you can go to Pasar Triwindu on Diponegoro Street. You can find classic watches, statues, and classic traditional toys.

What are budget-free activities that I can do in Solo?

Solo has quite many free tourist attractions that you can visit, one of which is the National Press Monument. This museum is home to the history of the press and media in Indonesia and is a great educational tourist spot option for a family trip. Vastenburg Fortress, a Dutch heritage fortress built in 1745, is the next free tourist spot you can visit. Solo also offers green parks you can visit, such as Balekambang Park, Tirtonadi Park, or Sunan Jogo Kali Park.